Camping in Kendal

BritStays lists 22 campsites in and around Kendal, and half of them, 11 in all, give Kendal itself as their location. The rest are spread thinly, one apiece in Dent, Staveley, Kirkby Stephen, Middleton, Sedgwick, Sizergh and Garrigill. This is countryside camping with castles, stately homes and the Yorkshire Dales close by. None of the listings here are by the sea, so if a beach is a must, you'll need to plan day trips rather than expect a coastal pitch.

What the campsites tend to offer

Across the 22 sites, these are the facilities that appear most often:

• Toilets: 12 sites
• EV charging nearby: 10
• Pet friendly: 8
• WiFi: 8
• Parking: 8
• Near a bus stop: 6
• Bar: 5
• Playground: 5

Only 12 of the 22 list toilets, so don't take anything for granted. Some sites here are simple farm fields. If you need showers, hook-ups or a shop, check the listing and ask the site directly before you book.

Which sites suit which kind of trip

Families. Five sites list a playground, and three of our examples combine one with somewhere to eat. Windermere Camping and Caravanning Club at Staveley has a bar, takeaway food and a playground. Pennine View Park at Kirkby Stephen offers a bar, playground and toilets. Raines Hall at Sedgwick pairs a cafe and takeaway food with a playground. Having food on site makes a wet evening with children much easier.

Couples. If you want a little comfort with your camping, New Ing Lodge Camping in Kendal stands out for its hot tub, bar and restaurant. Philpin Farm Campsite at Chapel-le-Dale has a bar, cafe and toilets, so it suits anyone who'd rather not cook every night.

Dog owners. Eight sites are listed as pet friendly. Among our examples, Low Greenside Farm Campsite in Kendal (toilets, parking) and Shaw Ghyll caravan and camping in Kendal (cafe, toilets) both welcome pets. Rules vary, so ask about numbers of dogs, lead requirements and any extra charge.

Travelling without a car. Six sites are near a bus stop, including Dent Camping and Caravanning Club and Conder Farm Camp Site, both listed under Kendal. Ewegales Farm in Kendal and Box Tree Farm Glamping at Wennington are both near a train station. Box Tree Farm is also worth a look if you want something a step up from a tent.

Electric cars. Ten sites note EV charging nearby, and Dent Camping and Caravanning Club and Conder Farm Camp Site are two of them. Check how far away the charger actually is before you rely on it.

Simple and quiet. Froste Hall / Frost Hole Campground in Kendal lists toilets and little else. New House Caravan Park at Kirkby Lonsdale and Holme Open Farm at Middleton have no facilities listed at all. That can suit experienced campers, but contact them first so you know what to bring.

Things to do once you're there

Heritage is the strong suit here. In and near town you have Kendal Castle and the Heritage Centre. Sizergh Castle and Levens Hall make a good pairing for a day of gardens and grand houses. Further afield are Acorn Bank, Appleby Castle, Howgill Castle and the site of Burton Castle. For walking and big views, the Yorkshire Dales National Park is within reach.

On a rainy day, try Brantwood, Eskdale Mill, or Keswick Museum & Art Gallery and The Retro Zone in Keswick. Heading the other way, Judges' Lodgings Museum and the Laurel and Hardy Museum are both in Morecambe. Families with confident swimmers might enjoy The Lakes Aqua Park.

When and how to book

With only 22 sites, and just five each with a bar or playground, the ones with the most facilities are the ones most likely to sell out. That's especially true at weekends and in school holidays. Some practical pointers:

• Book early for family-friendly sites such as Pennine View Park, Raines Hall or Windermere Camping and Caravanning Club if you're tied to school holidays.
• Midweek and outside the holidays, you'll usually have more choice and a quieter field.
• Confirm whether a site takes tents, caravans or both. Several listings mention caravans in their name.
• Ask about toilets and showers if they aren't listed. Ten of the 22 sites don't mention toilets.
• If you're bringing a dog, get the site's pet policy in writing before you arrive.
• Pack for changeable weather, and have an indoor backup such as Kendal Castle's neighbour, the Heritage Centre, or a trip to Brantwood.